I just saw Charles Laughton’s film noir masterpiece “Night of the Hunter” for the second time tonight. It’s a real shame that it was Laughton’s one and only directorial endeavour because it was really a remarkable film for its time. (wTwNjzVFVU)
Night of the Hunter’s showcases the talent of cinematographer Stanley Cortez, who’s surreal and haunting cinematographic style is something that you’d be more accustomed to seeing in today’s contemporary film making, not of a film made in 1955. It’s no wonder it had a strong influenced on some of today’s top film makers like Scorcese, Lynch and the Coen Brothers.
Robert Mitchum is especially terrific as the deliciously evil ‘Preacher’ Harry Powell, the Bible-quoting killer who has the word “LOVE” tattooed on the knuckles of his right hand, and “HATE” on the knuckles on his left hand.
The film was not appreciated in its time and was a critical and box office flop. It’s sad that Laughton didn’t receive the praise and recognition that he now receives from today’s critics for Night of the Hunter.
Many critics today label it as one of the best films of the 1950’s and the United States Library of Congress deemed the film “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.
I can only imagine what Laughton could have accomplished had he been given more opportunities to direct.
Night of the Hunter’s signature scene:
Tags: charles laughton, film noir, lillian gish, movies, night of the hunter, robert mitchum, shelley winters, stanley cortez
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